So, I finally bit the bullet and scheduled my first orthodontist appointment for next week. Honestly, I'm a little nervous. I haven't had braces before, and I'm not exactly sure what to expect. A friend told me to stock up on soft foods and painkillers, but is it really that bad? Also, someone else mentioned bringing lip balm because your lips get super dry from holding your mouth open for so long... is that true or just exaggeration?
I remember when my sister got hers years ago, she complained a lot about soreness and stuff getting stuck in the brackets. But she tends to be dramatic about everything, so I dunno how seriously to take her warnings, lol.
Anyway, if you've been through this recently, I'd love to hear how you handled it or if there's anything you wish you'd known beforehand.
Your friend wasn't exaggerating about the lip balm—definitely bring some. I've seen plenty of patients who wished they'd known that beforehand. Your lips can get pretty dry from being stretched open during the initial fitting, so having chapstick handy is a lifesaver.
As for the pain and soft foods, it really varies from person to person. Most people do experience some soreness for a few days after getting braces put on or adjusted, but it's usually manageable with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Stocking up on softer foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, or pasta isn't a bad idea either—at least for the first few days until your mouth adjusts.
And yeah, food getting stuck in brackets is definitely a thing. It's not unbearable, but it can be annoying at first. I'd recommend grabbing some orthodontic wax and interdental brushes (those tiny brushes that fit between brackets). They make cleaning way easier.
Honestly though, most people adapt pretty quickly. After a week or two, you'll barely notice them anymore... except when you're smiling in the mirror and seeing progress!
Totally agree about the wax—saved me from a lot of discomfort. Honestly, I was pretty anxious beforehand too, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd imagined. Hang in there, you'll get used to it quicker than you think...
Wax was a lifesaver for me too, especially at first. Honestly, the anxiety beforehand was worse than the actual braces experience. Just keep reminding yourself it's temporary...and stock up on soft foods for those first few days. You've got this.
Wax definitely helps, as mentioned earlier. I'd also second the lip balm tip—holding your mouth open during placement can dry your lips out quite a bit. The soreness is manageable though, just keep soft foods handy for the first few days. It'll ease up soon enough.
